The role of percutaneous renal biopsy in the management of small renal masses.

The use of percutaneous renal mass biopsy (RMB) has increased in recent years, likely in parallel with the growing incidence of renal cell carcinoma and small renal masses in particular. Biopsy and imaging techniques are improving, and diagnostic sufficiency and accuracy of RMB now are much higher in large-volume, experienced centers. Overall morbidity is low. This has led to a significant expansion of the indications for biopsy beyond documenting renal involvement for patients with metastatic disease or other systemic illnesses. While there still are limitations to its use and clinical judgment is paramount, RMB is proving to be a valuable tool in the clinical diagnosis and management of small renal masses.